Insights into the Potential Mechanisms of JAK2V617F Somatic Mutation Contributing Distinct Phenotypes in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow (BM) produces an overabundance of erythrocyte, white blood cells, or platelets. Philadelphia chromosome-negative MPN has three subtypes, including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The over proliferation of blood cells is often associated with somatic mutations, such as JAK2, CALR, and MPL. JAK2V617F is present in 95% of PV and 50-60% of ET and PMF. Based on current molecular dynamics simulations of full JAK2 and the crystal structure of individual domains, it suggests that JAK2 maintains basal activity through self-inhibition, whereas other domains and linkers directly/indirectly enhance this self-inhibited state. Nevertheless, the JAK2V617F mutation is not the only determinant of MPN phenotype, as many normal individuals carry the JAK2V617F mutation without a disease phenotype. Here we review the major MPN phenotypes, JAK-STAT pathways, and mechanisms of development based on structural biology, while also describing the impact of other contributing factors such as gene mutation allele burden, JAK-STAT-related signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications, immune responses, and lifestyle on different MPN phenotypes. The cross-linking of these elements constitutes a complex network of interactions and generates differences in individual and cellular contexts that determine the phenotypic development of MPN.

Structural Insights into the Interaction of Heme with Protein Tyrosine Kinase JAK2*.

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is the most important signal-transducing tyrosine kinase in erythropoietic precursor cells. Its malfunction drives several myeloproliferative disorders. Heme is a small metal-ion-carrying molecule that is incorporated into hemoglobin in erythroid precursor cells to transport oxygen. In addition, heme is a signaling molecule and regulator of various biochemical processes. Here, we show that heme exposure leads to hyperphosphorylation of JAK2 in a myeloid cancer cell line. Two peptides identified in JAK2 are heme-regulatory motifs and show low-micromolar affinities for heme. These peptides map to the kinase domain of JAK2, which is essential for downstream signaling. We suggest these motifs to be the interaction sites of heme with JAK2, which drive the heme-induced hyperphosphorylation. The results presented herein could facilitate the development of heme-related pharmacological tools to combat myeloproliferative disorders.

Downregulation of SHANK-associated RH domain-interacting protein elevates interleukin-33 expression by stimulating the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription signalling pathway in HaCaT cells.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which T-helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses are dominant. SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains (SHANK)-associated RH domain-interacting protein (SHARPIN) is expressed at low levels in AD, resulting in the upregulation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 protein and the Th2 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-33. However, the roles of SHARPIN in AD are not yet fully elucidated. AIM: To evaluate the signalling interactions of SHARPIN and IL-33 in order to improve understanding of AD pathogenesis. METHODS: Western blotting was used to detect the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signalling proteins and IL-33 protein in HaCaT cells to determine the key proteins mediating the interaction between SHARPIN and IL-33. The findings were validated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to evaluate the activity of STAT3 at the IL-33 promoter. RESULTS: We found that phosphorylated (p)JAK2 and pSTAT3 were upregulated in SHARPIN-knockdown HaCaT cells. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that STAT3 binds to the IL-33 promoter to mediate IL-33 expression. Moreover, SHARPIN-mediated expression of IL-33 was reduced after treatment of HaCaT cells with the JAK/STAT inhibitor ruxolitinib. STAT3 and IL-33 expression levels were higher in AD skin lesion tissues than in normal skin tissues. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that SHARPIN modulates inflammation in HaCaT cells by inhibiting JAK/STAT signalling, supporting the application of SHARPIN as a potential therapeutic target for AD.

Synthetic antiprotozoal thiazolide drug induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells: implications of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 and p53/caspases-dependent signaling pathways based on molecular docking and in vitro study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global pressing healthcare priority. Dysregulation of the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 and p53/caspase downstreaming pathways are significantly involved in the progression of CRC, and mainly affecting apoptosis. Discovery of new anti-cancer agents is laborious, time consuming, and costly with obvious socioeconomic burden. In the present study, we are proposing new molecular insights on the anti-proliferative and apoptotic therapeutic effects of nitazoxanide (NTZ) on CRC. NTZ is FDA-approved thiazolide antiparasitic agent, which has excellent safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. The molecular docking study revealed that NTZ has better binding affinity and docking score against JAK2 and BCL2 proteins compared to 5-Fluorouracil, which is the standard drug for treatment of CRC. The current in vitro work on a human HCT116 cell line displayed that NTZ had lower IC50 value (11.20 µM) than 5-flurouracil (23.78 µM), and NTZ induced a statistically significant down-regulation of IL6/JAK2/STAT3. NTZ also modulated significantly the p53/caspases-dependent signaling pathways, leading to enhancement of apoptosis and an increase of DNA fragmentation. Moreover, NTZ regulated the Bcl-2 gene family and promoted the loss of mitochondrial function which was depicted by release of cytochrome c (Cyt c), and caspase activation in apoptotic HCT116 cells. Additionally, NTZ was able to reduce the expression of VEGF in CRC cell line, which needs future thorough molecular investigations. In conclusion, our findings provided a novel evidence that NTZ could be a dual potential IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling inhibitor and p53/caspases-dependent pathway activator in CRC cell line. These potentials support further exploratory molecular researches targeting the therapeutic roles of NTZ in CRC; individually and simultaneously with current approved chemotherapeutic regimens.

Janus kinase 2 activation mechanisms revealed by analysis of suppressing mutations.

BACKGROUND: Janus kinases (JAKs; JAK1 to JAK3 and tyrosine kinase 2) mediate cytokine signals in the regulation of hematopoiesis and immunity. JAK2 clinical mutations cause myeloproliferative neoplasms and leukemia, and the mutations strongly concentrate in the regulatory pseudokinase domain Janus kinase homology (JH) 2. Current clinical JAK inhibitors target the tyrosine kinase domain and lack mutation and pathway selectivity. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize mechanisms and differences for pathogenic and cytokine-induced JAK2 activation to enable design of novel selective JAK inhibitors. METHODS: We performed a systematic analysis of JAK2 activation requirements using structure-guided mutagenesis, cell-signaling assays, microscopy, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Distinct structural requirements were identified for activation of different pathogenic mutations. Specifically, the predominant JAK2 mutation, V617F, is the most sensitive to structural perturbations in multiple JH2 elements (C helix [αC], Src homology 2-JH2 linker, and ATP binding site). In contrast, activation of K539L is resistant to most perturbations. Normal cytokine signaling shows distinct differences in activation requirements: JH2 ATP binding site mutations have only a minor effect on signaling, whereas JH2 αC mutations reduce homomeric (JAK2-JAK2) erythropoietin signaling and almost completely abrogate heteromeric (JAK2-JAK1) IFN-γ signaling, potentially by disrupting a dimerization interface on JH2. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that therapeutic approaches targeting the JH2 ATP binding site and αC could be effective in inhibiting most pathogenic mutations. JH2 ATP site targeting has the potential for reduced side effects by retaining erythropoietin and IFN-γ functions. Simultaneously, however, we identified the JH2 αC interface as a potential target for pathway-selective JAK inhibitors in patients with diseases with unmutated JAK2, thus providing new insights into the development of novel pharmacologic interventions.

Synthesis, In Silico Prediction and In Vitro Evaluation of Antitumor Activities of Novel Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine, Xanthine and Lumazine Derivatives.

Ethyl 5-arylpyridopyrimidine-6-carboxylates 3a-d were prepared as a one pot three component reaction via the condensation of different aromatic aldehydes and ethyl acetoacetate with 6-amino-1-benzyluracil 1a under reflux condition in ethanol. Additionally, condensation of ethyl 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene) acetoacetate with 6-amino-1-benzyluracil in DMF afforded 6-acetylpyridopyrimidine-7-one 3e; a facile, operationally, simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of 8-arylxanthines 6a-f is reported by refluxing 5,6-diaminouracil 4 with aromatic aldehydes in DMF. Moreover, 6-aryllumazines 7a-d was obtained via the reaction of 5,6-diaminouracil with the appropriate aromatic aldehydes in triethyl orthoformate under reflux condition. The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and mass spectra) and elemental analyses. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their anticancer activity against lung cancer A549 cell line. Furthermore, a molecular-docking study was employed to determine the possible mode of action of the synthesized compounds against a group of proteins highly implicated in cancer progression, especially lung cancer. Docking results showed that compounds 3b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7c and 7d were the best potential docked compounds against most of the tested proteins, especially CDK2, Jak2, and DHFR proteins. These results are in agreement with cytotoxicity results, which shed a light on the promising activity of these novel six heterocyclic derivatives for further investigation as potential chemotherapeutics.

Alchemical Grid Dock (AlGDock) calculations in the D3R Grand Challenge 3 : Binding free energies between flexible ligands and rigid receptors.

We participated in Subchallenges 1 and 2 of the Drug Design Data Resource (D3R) Grand Challenge 3. To prepare our submissions, we performed molecular docking with UCSF DOCK 6 and binding potential of mean force (BPMF) calculations-free energy calculations between flexible ligands and rigid receptors-using our open-source software package Alchemical Grid Dock (AlGDock). For each system, submissions were based on the minimum BPMF calculated for a selected set of crystal structures. In Subchallenge 1, our workflow performed poorly. Possible reasons for the poor performance include the neglect of cooperative ligands and limited sampling of ligand binding poses. In Subchallenge 2, our workflow led to some of most highly correlated submissions (Pearson R = 0.5) for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. However, our results were poorly correlated for Janus Kinase 2 and Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14. Affinity prediction could potentially be improved by systematic selection of more diverse receptor configurations.

The impact of binding site waters on the activity/selectivity trade-off of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors.

Structure based optimization of B39, an indazole-based low micromolar JAK2 virtual screening hit is reported. Analysing the effect of certain modifications on the activity and selectivity of the analogues suggested that these parameters are influenced by water molecules available in the binding site. Simulation of water networks in combination with docking enabled us to identify the key waters and to optimize our primary hit into a low nanomolar JAK2 lead with promising selectivity over JAK1.

3-Deoxy-2ß,16-dihydroxynagilactone E, a natural compound from Podocarpus nagi, preferentially inhibits JAK2/STAT3 signaling by allosterically interacting with the regulatory domain of JAK2 and induces apoptosis of cancer cells.

The Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways, especially the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, play vital roles in the development of many malignancies. Overactivation of STAT3 promotes cancer cell survival and proliferation. Therefore, the JAK2/STAT3-signaling pathway has been considered a promising target for cancer therapy. In this study, we identified a natural compound 3-deoxy-2ß,16-dihydroxynagilactone E (B6) from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Podocarpus nagi as a potent inhibitor of STAT3 signaling. B6 preferentially inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 by interacting with and inactivating JAK2, the main upstream kinase of STAT3. B6 dose-dependently inhibited IL-6-induced STAT3 signaling with an IC50 of 0.2 µM. In contrast to other JAK2 inhibitors, B6 did not interact with the catalytic domain but instead with the FERM-SH2 domain of JAK2. This interaction was JAK-specific since B6 had little effect on other tyrosine kinases. Furthermore, B6 potently inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells with overactivated STAT3. Taken together, our study uncovers a novel compound and a novel mechanism for the regulation of JAK2 and offers a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancers with overactivated JAK2/STAT3.

Construction of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) Models to Predict Potency of Structurally Diversed Janus Kinase 2 Inhibitors.

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic class of anticancer agents against many myeloproliferative disorders. Bioactivity data on pIC 50 of 2229 JAK2 inhibitors were employed in the construction of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. The models were built from 100 data splits using decision tree (DT), support vector machine (SVM), deep neural network (DNN) and random forest (RF). The predictive power of RF models were assessed via 10-fold cross validation, which afforded excellent predictive performance with R 2 and RMSE of 0.74 ± 0.05 and 0.63 ± 0.05, respectively. Moreover, test set has excellent performance of R 2 (0.75 ± 0.03) and RMSE (0.62 ± 0.04). In addition, Y-scrambling was utilized to evaluate the possibility of chance correlation of the predictive model. A thorough analysis of the substructure fingerprint count was conducted to provide insights on the inhibitory properties of JAK2 inhibitors. Molecular cluster analysis revealed that pyrazine scaffolds have nanomolar potency against JAK2.

ATP binding to the pseudokinase domain of JAK2 is critical for pathogenic activation.

Pseudokinases lack conserved motifs typically required for kinase activity. Nearly half of pseudokinases bind ATP, but only few retain phosphotransfer activity, leaving the functional role of nucleotide binding in most cases unknown. Janus kinases (JAKs) are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases with a tandem pseudokinase-kinase domain configuration, where the pseudokinase domain (JAK homology 2, JH2) has important regulatory functions and harbors mutations underlying hematological and immunological diseases. JH2 of JAK1, JAK2, and TYK2 all bind ATP, but the significance of this is unclear. We characterize the role of nucleotide binding in normal and pathogenic JAK signaling using comprehensive structure-based mutagenesis. Disruption of JH2 ATP binding in wild-type JAK2 has only minor effects, and in the presence of type I cytokine receptors, the mutations do not affect JAK2 activation. However, JH2 mutants devoid of ATP binding ameliorate the hyperactivation of JAK2 V617F. Disrupting ATP binding in JH2 also inhibits the hyperactivity of other pathogenic JAK2 mutants, as well as of JAK1 V658F, and prevents induction of erythrocytosis in a JAK2 V617F myeloproliferative neoplasm mouse model. Molecular dynamic simulations and thermal-shift analysis indicate that ATP binding stabilizes JH2, with a pronounced effect on the C helix region, which plays a critical role in pathogenic activation of JAK2. Taken together, our results suggest that ATP binding to JH2 serves a structural role in JAKs, which is required for aberrant activity of pathogenic JAK mutants. The inhibitory effect of abrogating JH2 ATP binding in pathogenic JAK mutants may warrant novel therapeutic approaches.

Molecular insights into regulation of JAK2 in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

The critical role of Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) in regulation of myelopoiesis was established 2 decades ago, but identification of mutations in the pseudokinase domain of JAK2 in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and in other hematologic malignancies highlighted the role of JAK2 in human disease. These findings have revolutionized the diagnostics of MPNs and led to development of novel JAK2 therapeutics. However, the molecular mechanisms by which mutations in the pseudokinase domain lead to hyperactivation of JAK2 and clinical disease have been unclear. Here, we describe recent advances in the molecular characterization of the JAK2 pseudokinase domain and how pathogenic mutations lead to constitutive activation of JAK2.

Uncoupling JAK2 V617F activation from cytokine-induced signalling by modulation of JH2 αC helix.

The mechanisms by which JAK2 is activated by the prevalent pseudokinase (JH2) V617F mutation in blood cancers remain elusive. Via structure-guided mutagenesis and transcriptional and functional assays, we identify a community of residues from the JH2 helix αC, SH2-JH2 linker and JH1 kinase domain that mediate V617F-induced activation. This circuit is broken by altering the charge of residues along the solvent-exposed face of the JH2 αC, which is predicted to interact with the SH2-JH2 linker and JH1. Mutations that remove negative charges or add positive charges, such as E596A/R, do not alter the JH2 V617F fold, as shown by the crystal structure of JH2 V617F E596A. Instead, they prevent kinase domain activation via modulation of the C-terminal residues of the SH2-JH2 linker. These results suggest strategies for selective V617F JAK2 inhibition, with preservation of wild-type function.

Structural and Functional Characterization of the JH2 Pseudokinase Domain of JAK Family Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2).

JAK (Janus family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases) family tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) participates in signaling through cytokine receptors involved in immune responses and inflammation. JAKs are characterized by dual kinase domain: a tyrosine kinase domain (JH1) that is preceded by a pseudokinase domain (JH2). The majority of disease-associated mutations in JAKs map to JH2, demonstrating its central regulatory function. JH2s were considered catalytically inactive, but JAK2 JH2 was found to have low autoregulatory catalytic activity. Whether the other JAK JH2s share ATP binding and enzymatic activity has been unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of TYK2 JH2 in complex with adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATP-γS) and characterize its nucleotide binding by biochemical and biophysical methods. TYK2 JH2 did not show phosphotransfer activity, but it binds ATP and the nucleotide binding stabilizes the protein without inducing major conformational changes. Mutation of the JH2 ATP-binding pocket increased basal TYK2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling. The overall structural characteristics of TYK2 JH2 resemble JAK2 JH2, but distinct stabilizing molecular interactions around helix αAL in the activation loop provide a structural basis for differences in substrate access and catalytic activities among JAK family JH2s. The structural and biochemical data suggest that ATP binding is functionally important for both TYK2 and JAK2 JH2s, whereas the regulatory phosphorylation appears to be a unique property of JAK2. Finally, the co-crystal structure of TYK2 JH2 complexed with a small molecule inhibitor demonstrates that JH2 is accessible to ATP-competitive compounds, which offers novel approaches for targeting cytokine signaling as well as potential therapeutic applications.

A novel activating, germline JAK2 mutation, JAK2R564Q, causes familial essential thrombocytosis.

Along with the most common mutation, JAK2V617F, several other acquired JAK2 mutations have now been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). However, here we describe for the first time a germline mutation that leads to familial thrombocytosis that involves a residue other than Val617. The novel mutation JAK2R564Q, identified in a family with autosomal dominant essential thrombocythemia, increased cell growth resulting from suppression of apoptosis in Ba/F3-MPL cells. Although JAK2R564Q and JAK2V617F have similar levels of increased kinase activity, the growth-promoting effects of JAK2R564Q are much milder than those of JAK2V617F because of at least 2 counterregulatory mechanisms. Whereas JAK2V617F can escape regulation by the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and p27/Kip1, JAK2R564Q-expressing cells cannot. Moreover, JAK2R564Q-expressing cells are much more sensitive to the JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib, than JAK2V617F-expressers, suggesting that lower doses of this drug may be effective in treating patients with MPNs associated with alternative JAK2 mutations, allowing many undesirable adverse effects to be avoided. This work provides a greater understanding of the cellular effects of a non-JAK2V617F, MPN-associated JAK2 mutation; provides insights into new treatment strategies for such patients; and describes the first case of familial thrombosis caused by a JAK2 residue other than Val617.

Germ-line JAK2 mutations in the kinase domain are responsible for hereditary thrombocytosis and are resistant to JAK2 and HSP90 inhibitors.

The main molecular basis of essential thrombocythemia and hereditary thrombocytosis is acquired, and germ-line-activating mutations affect the thrombopoietin signaling axis. We have identified 2 families with hereditary thrombocytosis presenting novel heterozygous germ-line mutations of JAK2. One family carries the JAK2 R867Q mutation located in the kinase domain, whereas the other presents 2 JAK2 mutations, S755R/R938Q, located in cis in both the pseudokinase and kinase domains. Expression of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) R867Q and S755R/R938Q induced spontaneous growth of Ba/F3-thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) but not of Ba/F3-human receptor of erythropoietin cells. Interestingly, both Ba/F3-MPL cells expressing the mutants and platelets from patients displayed thrombopoietin-independent phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1. The JAK2 R867Q and S755R/R938Q proteins had significantly longer half-lives compared with JAK2 V617F. The longer half-lives correlated with increased binding to the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone and with higher MPL cell-surface expression. Moreover, these mutants were less sensitive to JAK2 and HSP90 inhibitors than JAK2 V617F. Our results suggest that the mutations in the kinase domain of JAK2 may confer a weak activation of signaling specifically dependent on MPL while inducing a decreased sensitivity to clinically available JAK2 inhibitors.

Discovery of Subtype Selective Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors by Structure-Based Virtual Screening.

Janus kinase inhibitors represent a promising opportunity for the pharmaceutical intervention of various inflammatory and oncological indications. Subtype selective inhibition of these enzymes, however, is still a very challenging goal. In this study, a novel, customized virtual screening protocol was developed with the intention of providing an efficient tool for the discovery of subtype selective JAK2 inhibitors. The screening protocol involves protein ensemble-based docking calculations combined with an Interaction Fingerprint (IFP) based scoring scheme for estimating ligand affinities and selectivities, respectively. The methodology was validated in retrospective studies and was applied prospectively to screen a large database of commercially available compounds. Six compounds were identified and confirmed in vitro, with an indazole-based hit exhibiting promising selectivity for JAK2 vs JAK1. Having demonstrated that the described methodology is capable of identifying subtype selective chemical starting points with a favorable hit rate (11%), we believe that the presented screening concept can be useful for other kinase targets with challenging selectivity profiles.

In silico identification of natural product inhibitors of JAK2.

Emodic acid (1) and 6-chloroemodic acid (2) have been identified from a natural product database as useful scaffolds for the future development of novel JAK2 inhibitors using structure-based high-throughput virtual screening. Low-energy binding conformations of 1 and 2 in the JAK2 PTK domain were generated by virtual ligand docking and were found to overlap considerably with the binding pose of CMP6, a known JAK2 inhibitor. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed low micromolar efficacies against JAK2 enzyme activity and JAK2 autophosphorylation in human erythroleukemia cells, and inhibited STAT3 DNA-binding activity in a human hepatocarcinoma cell line.

Specific dephosphorylation of Janus Kinase 2 by protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Many protein kinases are activated through phosphorylation of an activation loop thereby turning on downstream signaling pathways. Activation of JAK2, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase with an important role in growth factor and cytokine signaling, requires phosphorylation of the 1007 and 1008 tyrosyl residues. Dephosphorylation of these two sites by phosphatases presumably inactivates the enzyme, but the underlying mechanism is not known. In this study, we employed MALDI-TOF/TOF and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively the dephosphorylation process by using synthetic peptides derived from the tandem autophosphorylation sites (Y1007 and Y1008) of human JAK2. We found that tyrosine phosphatases catalyzed the dephosphorylation reaction sequentially, but different enzymes exhibited different selectivity. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B caused rapid dephosphorylation of Y1008 followed by Y1007, while SHP1 and SHP2 selectively dephosphorylated Y1008 only, and yet HePTP randomly removed a single phosphate from either Y1007 or Y1008, leaving behind mono-phosphorylated peptides. The specificity of dephosphorylation was further confirmed by molecular modeling. The data reveal multiple modes of JAK2 regulation by tyrosine phosphatases, reflecting a complex, and intricate interplay between protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Impact of subdomain D1 of the short form S1b of the human prolactin receptor on its inhibitory action on the function of the long form of the receptor induced by prolactin.

BACKGROUND: Long-form (LF) homodimers of the human prolactin receptor (PRLR) mediate prolactin's diverse actions. Short form S1b inhibits the LF function through heterodimerization. Reduced S1b/LF-ratio in breast cancer could contribute to tumor development/progression. Current work defines the structural and functional relevance of the D1 domain of S1b on its inhibitory function on prolactin-induced LF function. METHODS: Studies were conducted using mutagenesis, promoter/signaling analyses, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and molecular modeling approaches. RESULTS: Mutation of E69 in D1 S1b or adjacent residues at the receptor surface near to the binding pocket (S) causes loss of its inhibitory effect while mutations away from this region (A) or in the D2 domain display inhibitory action as the wild-type. All S1b mutants preserved prolactin-induced Jak2 activation. BRET reveals an increased affinity in D1 mutated S1b (S) homodimers in transfected cells stably expressing LF. In contrast, affinity in S1b homodimers with either D1 (A) or D2 mutations remained unchanged. This favors LF mediated signaling induced by prolactin. Molecular dynamics simulations show that mutations (S) elicit major conformational changes that propagate downward to the D1/D2 interface and change their relative orientation in the dimers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the essential role of D1 on the S1b structure and its inhibitory action on prolactin-induced LF-mediated function. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Major changes in receptor conformation and dimerization affinity are triggered by single mutations in critical regions of D1. Our structure-function/simulation studies provide a basis for modeling and design of small molecules to enhance inhibition of LF activation for potential use in breast cancer treatment.